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Prepositions before nouns

“of sister” or “with sister”

Use “with sister” for company or relationships involving a sister. “Of sister” is uncommon by itself and normally appears in longer phrases such as “the photo of my sister.”

Quick answer

Which form should you use?

“With sister” can work in informal speech, especially with possessives such as “with my sister.” “Of sister” is not usually used alone. English prefers phrases like “of my sister” after another noun.

I went shopping with my sister yesterday.
She shared a photo of her sister online.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
with + sister

Talking about being together

Use “with sister” when someone is accompanied by a sister.

He lives with his sister in London.
2
noun + of + sister

Connecting another noun to a sister

Use “of” after another noun to identify or describe the sister.

They found a picture of her sister in the drawer.
3
sister of + person

Showing family relationship

Use “sister of” in formal or descriptive expressions.

She is the sister of the bride.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
with sister
I stayed with my sister for a week.
Together with or living alongside a sister.
of sister
The story of her sister was inspiring.
Used after another noun; not common as a standalone phrase.
sister of
He introduced the sister of his colleague.
A formal way to identify a family relationship.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “of sister” without context

“Of sister” usually needs another noun before it.

✕ I heard of sister yesterday. ✓ I heard a story of my sister yesterday.

Leaving out a determiner

English often needs “my,” “her,” or “the” with “sister.”

✕ with sister ✓ with my sister

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She travelled ___ her sister.
2. We looked at a picture ___ her sister.
3. He is the brother ___ Maria.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “with sister” correct?

Yes, especially with a possessive such as “with my sister.”

Why does “of sister” sound incomplete?

Because “of” usually follows another noun, such as “a photo of my sister.”

Can I say “sister of mine”?

Yes. “A sister of mine” is a natural English expression.

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